“We seem to be on the same page with a lot of things. It’s almost like you read my profile and created yours based on my answers.”

I swallow hard. “I could say the same thing about you.”

“Touché. So tell me some more about yourself. Your profile says you like to spend time with family.”

“Well, I’m very close with my parents. They’ve been happily married for over thirty years.”

“Wow that’s great. Any siblings?”

I pause, debating on what to tell her. I decide to go with the truth. “Yes. One brother.”

“And are you guys close?”

“We used to be.”

“I’m sensing a story there,” she says. “What changed?”

“He slept with the girl I was dating.”

She gasps. “How long were you two dating?”

“Three years. Two of which she was screwing around behind my back.”

Her voice lowers. “I can’t imagine what that’s like. I’m sorry.”

I shrug.  “Everything happens for a reason, right?”

“That’s what they say.”

“Do you believe it?”

“I don’t know what I believe. It’d be nice to think that everything happens the way it’s supposed to. That you’re led to the people you’re meant to be with. Maybe we are, and some people are only supposed to be life lessons instead of permanent fixtures.” She laughs softly. “I really sound divorced, don’t I?”

“Nothing wrong with that. How long were you married?”

“Seven years.”

“Why did it end?”

“He wasn’t who I thought he was.”

“Who did you think he was?”

“Someone I could count on. Someone who’d treat me the way I always dreamed I’d be treated by the man who loved me.”

“The guy’s a dick.”

She giggles. “You don’t even know him.”

Yes, I do, and it only took two seconds to come to that conclusion. “He had you and he didn’t treat you right. It’s simple. The guy’s a dick.”

“I won’t fight you on that. If it’s any consolation, your ex is a bitch.”

I tilt my head back and laugh. “We’re a sorry pair.”

“Speak for yourself.”

“What about your family?”

“My parents were happily married too.”

“Were?”

“My dad passed away a few years ago. Now it’s just me and my mom.”

“I’m sorry. How did he pass, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Heart attack. He was working outside in our backyard. He’d mowed the lawn and picked weeds. Then he came inside and just collapsed.” The line goes silent for a few seconds. “He went quickly and didn’t suffer. But we didn’t have time to say goodbye.”